What is the Campylobacter strain that most often affects humans?

What is the Campylobacter strain that most often affects humans?

• A. Campylobacter Jejuni
• B. Campylobacter fetus
• C. Campylobacter coli
• D. Campylobacter upsaliensis

Answer: (A)

In human Campylobacter infections, the most commonly implicated species is Campylobacter jejuni. It thrives in the poultry reservoir, so transmission to people often occurs through undercooked poultry, unpasteurized dairy, or contaminated water. Jejuni is particularly well adapted to colonize the human intestinal tract, leading to the typical gastroenteritis with diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sometimes fever. Because it is so prevalent in common food sources and efficient at establishing infection in humans, it accounts for far more cases than other Campylobacter species. Other species do cause illness but far less often. Campylobacter fetus tends to produce systemic or invasive infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems, rather than the usual foodborne gastroenteritis. Campylobacter coli can cause disease too, but it is less frequently involved in human illness compared with jejuni. Campylobacter upsaliensis is rarer still and is usually linked to contact with animals like dogs or cats, with milder clinical presentations.

In human Campylobacter infections, the most commonly implicated species is Campylobacter jejuni. It thrives in the poultry reservoir, so transmission to people often occurs through undercooked poultry, unpasteurized dairy, or contaminated water. Jejuni is particularly well adapted to colonize the human intestinal tract, leading to the typical gastroenteritis with diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sometimes fever. Because it is so prevalent in common food sources and efficient at establishing infection in humans, it accounts for far more cases than other Campylobacter species.

Other species do cause illness but far less often. Campylobacter fetus tends to produce systemic or invasive infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems, rather than the usual foodborne gastroenteritis. Campylobacter coli can cause disease too, but it is less frequently involved in human illness compared with jejuni. Campylobacter upsaliensis is rarer still and is usually linked to contact with animals like dogs or cats, with milder clinical presentations.